Stubbornness is a quality that we all find in ourselves to some degree. Whether it only shows up in our younger years or becomes known as a common character trait in our lives, we are all acquainted with being stubborn. When it comes to sticking up for what we believe, it becomes a virtue (though we name it something more like “steadfastness”). Whichever way it shows up, it ultimately comes down to one thing, we think we are right and we can’t accept the alternative. When it comes to God’s plan verses our own, we usually have a hard time changing our ways to fit His. This has been true since the beginning of creation. Whether we are relying on our own experience or listening to a snake that’s whispering in our ear (we’re looking at you Eve) we don’t want to face the truth of the situation. God always knows the best way for us to go, even when the path looks hard.

I recently finished a long study in one of the Old Testament books and I began to realize the truth of what others had been saying for years. The entirety of the Old Testament points to the cross. From the moment Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and sin entered into this world, there was only one way of redemption. The Old Testament is not just a history of the people of Israel. It’s not a story of all the ways God tried to redeem man yet failed. It’s not a collection of bedtime stories to tell your kids (is Noah’s ark really about all the cute animals?). God never fails. God never wastes experiences either. All the events of the Old Testament, just like those in the New Testament, serve a purpose.

So what does this have to do with stubbornness (or was I just venting at the beginning of this post)? Just hang on, here it comes. God created mankind and knows how we think and act. God knew that if He had presented His plan to redeem man from the very beginning, man would be too stubborn to accept it. Man would have wanted to find another way. We always want an easier way, something that works better for us. We try so hard yet come up short. God knew man wouldn’t accept His plan, so He went about proving to us that no other way would work. All other options had to be proven wrong before we would accept His way. Just think about how a parent raises a child. Sometimes we have to let our kids try something that we know won’t work, and might even bring them disappointment and pain, before they will accept our answer for the situation. So as you look at the Old Testament, think of it as a testament of God’s patience with us as we slowly allow ourselves to see that His way is the best way.